Cllr Julia Rostron, executive member for adult health and social care, said: “We have focused on shifting attitudes and behaviours through education over enforcement which is consistent with the approach of other local authorities.”

Cllr Lynn Pallister, cabinet member for health and housing at Redcar and Cleveland Council said: “The police and local authorities can both enforce this law.

“The police have the power to stop and warn drivers and pass information on to local authorities, and local authorities have the power to fine drivers.

“The primary focus of this legislation, however, is to make more people aware that smoking in a car with children present is really harmful to their health, and we hope to tackle this issue through advice and information first.”

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “Arrangements are now in place nationally for police to be able to pass on information to local authorities regarding people smoking in vehicles with children present.

“We would prefer to focus our efforts on education rather than enforcement activity.”

The law extends to all private vehicles, except for convertibles.

It is also illegal for drivers under the age of 18 to allow people to smoke in their cars, and is a criminal offence for any driver to fail to stop a passenger smoking when an under 18 is present.